Savvy Senior

YOU ASK THE SENIOR QUESTION WE FIND THE SAVVY ANSWER Dear Savvy Senior,

I was reading an article last month about identity theft and how seniors have become a primary target. Can you tell me more about this problem and what I can do to protect myself? I’m a 76-year old widow and don’t have much money, but I do have good credit and want to keep it that way. Unknown.

Dear Unknown,

Identity theft is a big problem that has become the fastest growing crime in the united States. In fact, it’s estimated that each year more than 10 million Americans are affected, many of whom are seniors. Here’s what you should know.

ID Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone obtains ac-cess to your Social Security number (SSN), bank or credit card account number, or other identifying information and uses it to steal from you. There are a variety of ways thieves can get their hands on your personal information. For example, they can get it by stealing your purse or wallet, taking your mail, rummaging through your trash or simply asking you for it through some type of scam.

ID Protection

While there’s no ironclad protection against ID theft, there are some steps you can take to decrease your risk, including:

• Don’t give out your SSN or financial information over the telephone, in person or over the internet unless you initiated the contact.

• Make sure your SSN is not on anything that doesn’t require it, like your checks or driver’s license.

• Tear up or shred all records, statements, mail solicitations or other papers you throw out that has your financial or personal identifying information.

• Secure your mail. Empty your mail box quickly, or get a locked mailbox or P.P. box.

• Never leave ATM, credit card or gas station receipts behind.

• Don’t carry your Social Security card or any other card that has your ID number including your Medicare card. Instead, carry a photocopy of the front and back of the card and black out your SSN.

• Take your name off marketing lists. You can cut down the junk mail and e-mail you receive at the Direct Marketing Association Consumer Assis-tance Web site at www.dmaconsumers.org. To stop telemarketers, call the National Do Not Call Reg-istry at 888-382-1222 or visit www.donotcall.gov. And, to opt out of future credit card solicitations call the credit reporting industry at 888-567-8688 (they will ask for your SSN).

• Review your credit statements carefully and request a copy of your credit report every year and check it for errors. You can get a free annual copy form each of the three major credit reporting agencies by calling 877-322-8228, or visit www.annualcreditreport.com. (Eastern states will be eligible for free report Sept. 1)

Stop the Stealing

If you suspect you’ve become a victim of identity theft there are several things you can do to stop the stealing:

• First, contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus and place a “fraud alert” on your credit file (Equifax 800-525-6285, Experian 888-397-3742 and Trans Union 800-680-7289).

Call your financial institutions and close all the accounts you think have been tampered with.

• File a report with your local police department and get a copy of the report in case your bank, credit-card companies or others need proof of the crime.

• Report it to the Federal Trade Commission ID theft hotline at 877-438-4338.

Savvy Resource

Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Re-source Center: Provides a clearing house of consumer friendly information and resources including a variety of free publications. Visit www.id-theftcenter.org or call 877-382-4357.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org.